The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-02-12

her; have talked to her, and entered into
her feelings, and made her, hope, little
happier by few of my clumsy words. She
has trusted me, and | love her. Laugh at
me, my friend for this is my folly; the
child has become woman TO me, and has
stolen into my heart. / would give my
dearest possession-m life itself-to gain
happiness for her. but the happiness wish
to make for her / should like to share.
Now, what do you say to me?"
II say that there is no one in all the
world to whom would rather contide my
Letty's future, said Lady Flora, in deep
/ ~ moved voice.
Thank YOU. thank you,n answered the
| Colonel, and after few moments heslta-
/ ton he went on This is your feeling,
! difference of age.
"A mere nothing, / assure you; differ
ence on the right side.
! But | am not young for my years.
Are YOU not?" said Lady Flora, with n
charming smile. You will pardon me if
| disagree with YOU. In my humble opinion
| you are the very youngest man / know. /
venture to prophesy Cat you never Will be
old.
A boyish color, which fully justified Lady
/ Flora's opinion, oyerspread the Colonels
face at this testimony of his youthfulness.
| lie did not venture on any protest, for, AS
fact, he did feel ridiculously young that
evening. He listened while his friend
gave him various wise advices; to do moth
ing in haste, to let the young girl he loved
| become accustomed to him as a friend
before he spoke to her of any warmer
feeling: 10 be guided in everything
by Lady Flora, who had large
experience In these matters, and TO stay
on quietly at Castle Ettrick until his suit
was won; and he promised TO be obedient
and patient, and when, the hour being late,
Lady Flora babe him good night, he
walked off with long swinging stride
through the grounds and over the moor.
How happy he was! What pleasant
thoughts accompanied him! How the Wis.,
ionary element of youth, that measureless
reaching forth into an unknown of beauty
and wonder, colored his whole being!
Young, He might have been boy, he
was as strong, as fresh, as full of ardent
feeling, as if all those long years of camp
life in India, with their myriad strange ex-
periences, had never been. And with it all
there was In his heart u tenderness of feel
ing which is seldom known by the young.
He thought of himself-it was impossible
it could have been otherwlse-how new
and charming interests would be given to
life, how his distant home-High Clitfe--
which his mother had loved, and to which
she had hoped he would one day bring
mistress, would be beautifed and endeared
by the gentle presence of the sweet woman
who had won his heart. But of her he
thought far more than of himself.
Poor timid, shrinking child! Little
wandering bird that had never had a home,
What home he would make her! If it
was in the power of one human being to
make another happy-and the Colonel
thought it might be-Letty should be the
happiest woman on earth.
SO thinking and dreaming, his great
heart full of tenderness, the old soldier
wandered on, until the twilight that had
fingered all night upon the hills frightened,
and III the solemn east God made Himself
an awful rose of dawn"
CHAPTER IN
BETWEEN CASTLE ETTRICK AND DEEP DEANE
Mr.. Winstanley came back the next day,
bringing with him news that gave the great
est pleasure TO everyone at Castle Ettrick.
Percy had obtained his exchange. The
regiment to which he was now attached had
its headquarters, for the moment at Edin-
burgh He had joined at once, and there
could be no reasonable doubt that he would
soon obtain further leave.
For the few days of Percy's absence-a
circumstance which naturally strengthened
Lady Flora's view about the true point of
attraction at Castle Ettrick-there was less
intercourse between the castle and farm
than there bad been. Both houses were
busy preparing for the company of shoot
ing visitors, who were to arrive on the 18th,
and this no doubt, was one reason for the
! change. But Janet, who rode over alone
one afternoon, TO take message from her
father to Mr.. Winstanley, told Lady Flora
that Veronica did not seem so well or so
bright as usual. 1--WE are little puzzled
about her" she said. Mother thinks the
air may be too strong for her. But L can't
believe ii to be that"
"Oh, no; not at all likely. When did the
air of the moors ever do harm to any
one? and You are sheltered at Deep
Deane," said Lady Flora. Persuade Miss
Browne TO come over to me, and we will
cheer her mp"
Janet did not answer that it was precise
ly to Castle Ettrick that Veronica refused
TO come. She thanked Lady Flora, and
promised to take her message.
When she reached home she found that
Neronicas depression had gone. and that
she had made up her mind to ride over to
Castle Ettrick on Brown Bess the follow
ing day.
Il met the schoel-room party out on the
moor, she said; "Milly, mean, and her
pretty governess; and your gallant old SOL
dier, Colonel Lyndon. was strolling about
with them, and they all pressed me SO
warmly to go over that l could not resist.
viii YOU come. Janet? | think the Colonel
may ride out to meet rs.
oh, in that case / will stay at home.
We have about much as we can get
through lefore the 18th " said Janet
She was surprised by the change in Ve-
ronica, whom she began to think capricious;
but she thought it wiser to make no re-
marks.
FTo BE CONTINUED